Science changes at a dizzying pace as new discoveries, and revamped theories spring to our attention on a weekly basis. One theory that has been consistently held by the scientific community for at least the past eighty years (though arguably held longer) has been the age of the earth and the universe. Although the time span from the earth’s creation to the present day has shifted from millions of years to billions of years in many scientific minds, one thing has remained constant in their thinking: the earth is old… very old. How is the Christian to answer such assertions?
For many, the answer is to simply accept this theory as truth. If so many educated men agree on one particular theory, how can a believer who has never studied science disagree? I was reading an Old Testament Introduction book by a conservative scholar who did not even give a second thought to the earth’s creation taking place in six literal days and within a far more recent time frame than most scientists suggest. To discuss the matter almost seemed a waste of time since the answer was already a forgone conclusion.
For others, the answer comes in science itself. In order to gain the acceptance of Creationism within the scientific community, Christian scientists scour the earth and the heavens to find traces of a more recent origin. Usually, the Great Flood becomes the catch all for earth’s “evolved” look, and the mature earth theory (that God created the earth with a certain “aged appearance” just as He created Adam as a fully grown man) picks up the rest. Please do not misunderstand me, I have greatly appreciated the work of men like Whitcomb, Morris, Ham, and Hovine. I even believe there is an important place for a logical, scientific presentation of Biblical Creationism which places the earth at approximately 6,000-10,000 years old. But is science our only hope?
I suppose the real question comes down to a discussion on apologetics. Epistemological apologetics seeks to find facts that will reconcile science (or any other area such as philosophy) with the Bible. The problem lies in men trying to fulfill their desire for a “system” that answers every question raised by opponents (whether scientific or Scriptural). This becomes problematic when Scripture is twisted to fit within the confines of a particular system.
Biblical apologetics, on the other hand, chooses not to delve into the scientific system, but rely on the Scripture to set the standard. Although Biblical apologists create their own system (called systematic theology) which without fail contains flaws from their own predispositions and misinterpretations of Scripture, the desire to exalt the Scripture is key. Do I need to refute every argument an evolutionist can throw at me? No, but I do need to make clear that there is one God, and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was before all things, by whom all things consist (Colossians 1:17). An evolutionist is not going to change his mind until there is a change in his heart. Can God use physical evidence to convince a man of Biblical Creationism? Yes, but what a man truly needs is not to become a Creationist, but to come into personal contact with the Creator of the Universe. This can only happen as God’s powerful Word is revealed to such a man.
I guess one question is, should we refute any arguments that contradict clear Biblical teaching such as, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” What is the Christian’s role in science? How should Christian scientists further the cause of Christ and to do all things heartily unto the Lord and not unto men? Are we so intent on building our own theological system that we jam Bible passages into our mold whether they fit or not? We need to ask the Lord for wisdom to know how to answer every man that asks the reason of the hope within us, and to exalt the Word of God so highly that when it comes into conflict with our system, we change the system rather than God’s immutable Word.
